Psychiatric Nursing

Article Review # 100589

Aging > Gerontology
English > Analysis
English > Comparison

Psychiatric Nursing

A review of two articles regarding the role of psychiatric nurses in the diagnosis and treatment of elderly psychiatric patients.

2,037 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper systematically reviews current literature regarding the lead role of psychiatric nurses in the diagnosis and treatment of elderly psychiatric patients. It reviews and discusses two articles for this purpose: "Effectiveness of a Nurse-Based Outreach Program for Identifying and Treating Psychiatric Illness in the Elderly" by P.V. Rabins, B.S. Black, R. Roca, P. German, M. McGuire, B. Robbins et al and "Does a Nurse-Led Mental Health Liaison Service for Older People Reduce Psychiatric Morbidity in Acute General Medical Wards? A Randomized Controlled Trial" by R. Baldwin, H. Pratt, H. Goring, A. Marriott and C. Roberts.

Table of Contents:
Description of the Topic
Search Strategy/ Overview of Search Strategy Findings
Review of Articles
Summary

From the Paper:

"These two studies exemplify the need for more improvisation in terms of health care delivery. These two approaches showcase the untapped potential of nursing professionals in the larger setting of public health. In spite of the prevalent shortage of nurses, professional development in terms of role expansion is essential in order to ensure that the profession does not fall into complacency. Both studies are potentially replicable with adjustments made in methodology according to the setting and population in question. It should also be noted that, while the main objective of these studies is treatment efficacy, subsequent studies should also focus on other aspects of health care such as the consequences of missed mental health surveillance (e.g. PATCH). While analyses of some demographic factors in both studies (e.g. ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment) may have magnified or lessened the statistical impact of the interventions, it may be prudent to replicate these studies in similar settings as well as other, needier ones."

Sample of Sources Used:

Baldwin R, Pratt H, Goring H, Marriott A & Roberts C. (2004). Does a nurse-led mental health liaison service for older people reduce psychiatric morbidity in acute general medical wards? A randomised controlled trial. Age Ageing, 33(5), 472-8. Retrieved November 22, 2006, from http://ageing.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/33/5/472
Kaas, MJ & Beattie, E. (2006). Geropsychiatric Nursing Practice in the United States: Present Trends and Future Directions. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 12(3), 142-155. Retrieved November 22, 2006, from http://jap.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/12/3/142
Katz, IR & Coyne, JC. (2000). The Public Health Model for Mental Health Care for the Elderly. JAMA, 283, 2844-2845. Retrieved November 22, 2006, from http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/283/21/2844
NHIS. (2004). Indicators of Mental Health by Age, Sex, and Race/Ethnicity: United States, 1997-2004. CDC.gov. Retrieved November 22, 2006, from http://209.217.72.34/aging/TableViewer/tableView.aspx
Rabins PV, Black BS, Roca R, German P, McGuire M, Robbins B, et al. (2000). Effectiveness of a nurse-based outreach program for identifying and treating psychiatric illness in the elderly. JAMA, 283(21), 2802-9. Retrieved November 22, 2006, from http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/283/21/2802